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Olympic 100-meter champion Noah Lyles' hopes of a 100m-200m double in Paris were dashed after he tested positive for COVID-19 two days before the 200m final. Lyles, who finished third in the 200m final, was taken off the track in a wheelchair following the race.In an Instagram post, Lyles expressed his disappointment, stating, "I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics." He added, "It is not the Olympics I dreamed of, but it has left me with so much joy in my heart."Lyles' positive test means he will not participate in the 4x100m relay on Friday. The 27-year-old American, who has a history of asthma, was seen wearing a surgical mask before the 200m final.In an interview with NBC, Lyles revealed that he woke up feeling unwell on Tuesday morning. "I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100 (meters)," he said. "We tested and unfortunately, it came up that I was positive for COVID."Lyles admitted that his illness "definitely affected my performance," but expressed pride in his bronze medal finish. "We tried to keep this as close to the chest as possible," he said. "We didn't want everybody to go into a panic."USA Track and Field released a statement confirming Lyles' positive test and stating that they had "enacted all necessary protocols to prioritize his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors."

COVID-19 Surge Impacts Paris Olympics: Over 40 Athletes Test PositiveThe World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over a global resurgence of COVID-19 cases, highlighting the infection of over 40 athletes at the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics. The WHO emphasized the need for countries to enhance their response systems as the virus continues to circulate.Prominent athletes have fallen victim to COVID-19 at the Games. British swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive after winning silver in the 100m breaststroke, while Australian medal hopeful Lani Pallister withdrew from the women's 1500m freestyle due to illness.Data from 84 countries indicates a steady rise in the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. Wastewater surveillance suggests that the virus's circulation is significantly higher than reported, potentially two to 20 times more."This is concerning because the virus continues to evolve, posing a risk of more severe variants that could evade detection and medical interventions," said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness director.The high circulation of the virus is unusual for respiratory viruses, which typically experience seasonal surges. However, in recent months, many countries have witnessed COVID-19 spikes, including at the Olympics."It's not surprising that athletes are being infected, given the rampant circulation of the virus," Van Kerkhove added.The WHO urged countries to strengthen their surveillance, testing, and vaccination efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus. The organization also emphasized the importance of adhering to public health measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing.

British swimming sensation Adam Peaty's Olympic dream has been dealt a cruel blow after he tested positive for COVID-19, just a day after narrowly missing out on the 100-meter breaststroke gold medal in Paris.Peaty, who had been the overwhelming favorite to defend his title, shared the silver with American Nic Fink after both finished 0.02 seconds behind Italy's Nicolo Martinenghi. The Briton had hinted at feeling unwell on the day of the race, but refused to use it as an excuse.However, his symptoms worsened in the hours following the final, prompting him to undergo a COVID test on Monday morning. The result came back positive, confirming his fears."He is hopeful to be back in competition for the relay events later in the swimming programme," Team GB said in a statement. "As in any case of illness, the situation is being managed appropriately, with all usual precautions being taken to keep the wider delegation healthy."Peaty's positive test is a major setback for Team GB, who had been counting on him to deliver a gold medal in the pool. The 27-year-old is one of the most decorated swimmers in British history, having won two Olympic golds, three world championships, and multiple European titles.The relay events, which Peaty is hoping to compete in, are scheduled to take place later this week. However, his participation will depend on his recovery from COVID-19.Peaty's positive test serves as a reminder that even the most elite athletes are not immune to the virus. It also highlights the importance of following health protocols and taking precautions to prevent its spread.